TWO young people from the Forest of Dean both pulled off successful concerts last month to raise funds for charities close to their hearts.

Rosie Levy, a sixth former at Wyedean School organised Young Minds, a musical afternoon at the Drill Hall in Chepstow, raising over £1,000 for the charity of the same name, which supports mental health in young people.

Rosie said: “The event was an absolute success. Young musicians, singers and dancers came to entertain a full house at the event. I was totally overwhelmed not only by the performers who gave up their time for the charity but also the people who came and watched the show.

 

“Sophie Hayward and Josh Hicks danced ballroom and Latin styles. Chepstow Musical?Youth Theatre (CMYT) entertained the audience, singing and dancing to songs from a selection of different musicals. Sephy Canty wowed us all with her beautiful harp playing and the Dell Superstar Singing Club also took part.

“Ceira Moulton, Nik­kita Miller, Josh Hicks and Nataley Simpson all did vocal solos. Girls from The Angel School of Dance performed and Ellis Fryer played both the flute and the piano and I played the grand piano.

“I would like to express my thanks to Brian Ellam, one of my music teachers at Wyedean School, for his support and to Marc Henderson who made the sound and lighting possible. Thanks too to everybody that supported the event and to the performers who made it such a success.”

15-year-old Rowan Edwards from Yorkley organised a brand new music festival in aid of CLIC Sargent, a charity supporting children and young people with cancer.

Hosted at the Viney St Swithins Social Club in November, Rowan constructed the entire event with support from friends and family and raised over £650.

Rowan said: “The festival kicked off at 12noon with Lucy Jarrett and local bands including The Dixons of Dock Green and the Baldwin Brothers performing all the way through to 10pm. Every act was packed with energy and the crowd thoroughly enjoyed it.

 “We kept tickets low-cost, so we ran the event on a tight budget, thanks to support from local businesses: Lydney Music, Newspace, the Nags Head, The Fountain Inn and Protech.

“The event was in memory of my cousin Emily, who was supported by the charity. Over the last few years my family has raised thousands for CLIC Sargent with bike rides, coffee mornings, cake sales, and donations so I wanted to do something myself.

 

“I will be organising festivals annually in aid of CLIC Sargent for years to come.”